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Arrangements have been made to declare old identity cards issued before June 23, 2003, invalid by batches, an Immigration Department spokesman said today (July 13).
The Smart Identity Card Replacement Exercise was completed on March 31, 2007.
Previous invalidations were in 2006 and 2007. Old identity cards bearing the year of birth from 1958 up to and including 1969 have been invalidated since October 16, 2006. Those bearing the year of birth from 1943 up to and including 1957 have been invalidated since January 15, 2007, and those bearing the year of birth from 1970 up to and including 1979 have been invalidated since September 17, 2007.
Old identity cards specified below shall lose their validity on November 30, 2008:
Year of birth
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1942, and any year before, and
1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
From November 30, all old identity cards issued before June 23, 2003, will become invalid.
"Holders of old identity cards who cannot have their identity cards replaced during the specified call-up periods due to their absence from Hong Kong should apply within 30 days of their return to Hong Kong," the spokesman said.
Residents who have not yet replaced their identity cards during their specified call-up periods should immediately apply at any of the Registration of Persons Offices. Failure to apply for a new identity card within the specified call-up periods without reasonable excuse is an offence. Offenders may be prosecuted and are liable to a fine of $5,000.
The invalidation of old identity cards will not affect the holder's right of abode in Hong Kong unless he or she has lost permanent resident status under the Immigration Ordinance.
For further information, please visit www.immd.gov.hk or call the Immigration Department hotline on 2824 6111.
Ends/Sunday, July 13, 2008
Issued at HKT 20:01
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